DOWN but no way out, Frankie Dettori is still a man in demand.
Labelled the ‘Lionel Messi’ of the weighing room by his old pal Martin Dwyer, Frankie is now the ultimate jetsetting gun-for-hire.
Former gaffer John Gosden may not have bothered to call Frankie, 51, to tell him he was jocked off his runners at Newmarket last weekend.
But the Italian legend’s phone – and that of his long-time trusted agent and manager Pete Burrell – has not stopped ringing since news of his sudden and shocking split from a long-time ally.
Frankie split from his old gaffer Gosden but was back in the winners’ enclosure less than 24 hours after at Newmarket, feeling the love of the crowd.
Lezoo’s easy win showed Frankie has still got it and plenty of trainers are desperate to get the 51-year-old on their horses.
Aidan O’Brien has always given Frankie rides and said it was a ‘privilege to do so’ in the aftermath of the trainer-jockey divorce.
And Frankie’s first ally on these shores, 73-year-old Luca Cumani, has warned those in the sport not to write the jockey off.
He said: “He is full of determination and determined to carry on, rebuild and start a new chapter in his life.
“I think he’s as good as ever.
“I know it’s easy to say just because he’s turned the wrong side of 50 that he might be finished but it’s only a number on his birth certificate.”
Frankie has said he will be busy riding around the world in the coming weeks and has already slammed any talk of retirement.
He rode in the Turkish Derby on Sunday and will head to Germany for their Derby this weekend.
The following week, Frankie is headed to the US to ride for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby while his No 1 Will Buick stays in the UK on his title charge.
Frankie did hint he may have to miss the July meeting at Newmarket which could mean the ride on Gosden’s superstar Inspiral is up for grabs.
Frankie, who is banned this week, said: “If you don’t see me riding here in the coming weeks it’s not because I’ve given up!
“I’m going to be away abroad. I’m not going anywhere and lots of people have already been very kind to me.”
